[xRavenx]

I was just wondering for those of you who cannot take SSRI's (Prozac, Lexapro, Paxil, Zoloft, etc), Trazadone, or Wellbutrin (due to their tendency to induce mania in some of us), what has helped you with Bipolar Depression when it comes to meds? I feel that so much has been ruled out for me. I was told my Lamictal can help with depression, but I feel I can use more relief. Also, I did not notice a difference with Abilify either. I'd just like to hear about some of your experiences to hear what else is out there, since it's been tricky for me so far. Thanks!

[pirilin]

I'm sure I can't help you. Since I'm not a doctor.
But I can't help but wonder, isn't Klonopin AND xanax overdoing it?.
Xanax by itself is one of the most depressive drugs there is. So is Klonopin.
It's hard not to be depressed on those.
I started lithium a few months ago. I have cut my xanax consuption by 90%. From 2mg to less than .20 now.
I still feel xanax depressing me. I do recommend lithium, BTW. If you have a deep depression. Lamictal works for many. Not for me anymore.
I'm thinking Wellbutrin, because, as one in my here family mentioned, I want to keep the high going. I'll give a try, but I really don't need anything more than to be pacient.

Latuda targets depression mostly. That's what it's approved for anyway... but it's not actually approved for mania, so I would recommend it as an add-on to whatever else you have.

It messed with my cholesterol and made me too drowsy, but some people have no problems with it whatsoever. It did wonders for my depression, though.

If you're interested, be sure to check out the savings card (as there is no generic out yet): Copay Savings Card for Latuda® (lurasidone HCl)

There are ways to make it affordable. Good luck

[scatterbrained04]

I was also going to say Latuda.

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[BeyondtheRainbow]

Emsam. It's an MAOI patch and it has changed my life. I have been on it almost 7 years and while I've had 2 bad periods with depression that is much better than before Emsam. I've been on many ADs and they either made me manic, didn't work or pooped out quickly. Emsam has done none of those.

[cincidak]

Saphris , and Geodon. I know they are not antidepressants, but after I started taking them my depression lifted.

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[xRavenx]

Pirilin, yes, I definitely have heard that Xanax and Klonopin could exacerbate depression when overused. My pdoc wants both to be prn, but I have a tendency to take it more often when depressed to calm down, but I know I need to be mindful of that.

As far as other replies go, I am hearing good things about Latuda and Geodon....of course, I know I'll have to ask the pdoc about my options, but thanks everyone for sharing your experiences with the meds. It's good to know there's more out there to try, even though of course it might be trial-and-error at first.

My boyfriend has bipolar 1 and can't take ADs. He was depressed and his pdoc added Seroquel. He takes Lamictal, Seroquel (and Klonopin PRN which he never takes). It said on the Seroquel starter pack that it treats depression. 400 mg. He is no longer depressed. It started working within two weeks.

Good luck

[Nammu]

Add another vote for Latuda. I can't say if it'll work for you but it's been my lifesaver.

[Gabyunbound]

Seroquel is approved for both mania and depression and has been helpful for me (though can't tolerate well the side effects).

Could you take a higher dose of the Lamictal, or are you already on the highest dose? It's been a life savor for me, very helpful for depression and no side effects.

[xRavenx]

Originally Posted by Gabyunbound

Seroquel is approved for both mania and depression and has been helpful for me (though can't tolerate well the side effects).

Could you take a higher dose of the Lamictal, or are you already on the highest dose? It's been a life savor for me, very helpful for depression and no side effects.

I'm on a "therapeutic" dose of 200mg as of now for Lamictal for maintenance, but I think I was on a higher dose before, and I tolerate it well....so it sounds like it may be an option. Maybe raising the Seroquel would help too, since the pdoc usually keeps me on a moderate dose to avoid the chance of me developing side effects, and I tolerate it well too when I take it early enough to avoid that hangover feeling....so maybe I would tolerate a higher dose. Thanks for your input!

Oh, and just to add in response to Pirilin's comment on pg 1 of this thread.....I also wanted to add in response to you mentioning benzos can have a depressant effect. A psychiatrist and collegue of mine who has been in the field for over 45 years recently told me that Klonopin has been shown to actually exacerbate not only depression, but can induce thoughts of suicide. I knew one woman who was on high doses of Klonopin who ended up hospitalized multiple times in a row for SI, and she thought this might have contributed. Just thought I'd pass this information along to others on Klonopin or benzos with depression, since it is definitely a concern.

[Wander]

Been on Latuda 6 weeks and it seems to be pulling me out of a deep depression. Although I am on so many drugs it could be a combination effect.

[candid_spectrum]

After what felt like a bottomless depression, I started taking lexapro a few weeks ago. Panicked because I was scared that I was beginning to show signs of mania/hypomania. So I got off that and my pdoc prescribed flaunoxol. I had never herd of it before, and it's not very common. It's an AP that in low doses treats depression. I can not take Xanax or any benzos because of past addiction issues, and this works amazing for my anxiety! It doesn't make me drowsy, or like a zombie like sereoquel did, and because it's an AP, and not an SSRI, there is no fear of mania! It also is relatively inexpensive in comparison to medications I've purchased in the past, so talk to your pdoc about why they think of it! Because it seriously changed my life!

[Tucson]

Rhisperidone. This enhances the effect of the AD and also has antidepressant effects, so as I am told. I take this with Lamictal and a combo of Venlafaxine and Mirtazepine, otherwise known as "California Rocket Fuel". I think the mood stabelizers help me remain stable with the ADs, but the ADs themselves are not helping me much. This is when the pdoc told me that my BP depression has to be handled differently from using ADs. That is why Risperidone was added.

Tucson